YET again, we find that a few of our important political leaders have been away on foreign tours at around the same time. And of course, true to tradition, discussions are back, seeking to portray these leaders’ temporary absence as proof of their disconnect with the people they avowedly lead. On Tuesday, Imran Khan, who was himself away and targeted by some government ministers for what was seen as an uncalled for, ill-timed diversion, criticised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for going abroad at a crucial juncture.

Apart from this, the usual aspersions have been cast on Asif Ali Zardari’s trip to Washington just when all eyes are focused on what shape an opposition protest planned against the government could take. It is in this manner that every tour by a prominent politician raises some suspicions.

Out of the country: Second tier minds the ‘store’ as top leaders meditate

While for many, the leadership’s personal tours abroad signify a kind of retreat others can only dream of in a place that often witnesses events worth escaping from, for others it is a question of politicians showing their solidarity with the people in times of crisis by being physically present in the country.

When top Pakistani political leaders are away en masse — during summers, the month of Ramazan or at any other time — there are always some compelling circumstances for them to have stayed at home, or at least to have opted for a short sojourn.

This time it is argued that the crucial Zarb-i-Azb operation under way in North Waziristan and its accompanying challenges should have prevented some of our top politicians, most of all the prime minister, from venturing out of the country.

Nevertheless, it is also true that such feelings of resentment arise in situations where individuals are given more importance than institutions. Individual appearances and presences matter a lot, but a system that does not enjoy the full trust of the people will make the absence of a handful of individuals all the more conspicuous.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2014